Dialogue Indiana is hosted by a group of Indiana area nonprofit professionals and led by Joe Williams. For the last 25 years, Joe has led his popular “Dialogue in the Desert” week-long strategic planning workshop on a ranch in Arizona. Joe is bringing some of the valuable tools from that workshop to Dialogue Indiana where he will introduce you to the most elegant, practical and yet simple tools for thinking strategically, planning effectively and influencing persuasively. The result is that you’ll return to your organization with a proven recipe for knowing how to lead from within with confidence and authenticity, no matter your job level or organization.

 

Wednesday Evening: Welcoming Reception

On Wednesday evening we’ll have a welcoming reception, eat dinner and introduce you to the initial tools of the workshop. Through an engaging group activity you’ll start to experience the essence of strategic thinking and, at the same time, learn about your fellow colleagues, who by Friday will become lasting connections.

Thursday: The MindMap

Thursday we’ll delve into the meat of the workshop: the MindMap. This is not the brainstorming tool that was popular back in the 1980s, but rather a way of thinking and planning. Joe will show you how to use the MindMap as a thinking tool to focus on an issue and arrive at a strategic plan of action. Bring an issue, dilemma, or opportunity facing you and/or your organization, and, using the MindMap, you’ll plot out a course of action. Dialogue Indiana doesn’t present strategy and planning from a sterile, corporate approach, but rather, from a human standpoint of honesty, empathy, intention and focus.

In doing this, you’ll have the opportunity to address pressing issues facing your organization or you can learn how to use the MindMap tool on generic issues that we provide.

 

Thursday Evening: Interactive Group Session

Thursday evening after dinner we’ll reconvene for an interactive group session. This isn’t a 9-5 conference!

 

Friday: Mindfulness Session

On Friday we’ll start the day early with an optional mindfulness session. After breakfast, you’ll learn powerful tools for making effective presentations and dealing with conflict and resistance. Following that we’ll introduce you to “Invent-O-Matic” — a powerful brainstorming technique where we’ll put the group to work on your pressing issues. This alone is worth far more than the cost of the program! The Workshop will conclude not later than 3:00 p.m. Friday.

 

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What Will You Take Away?
• The MindMap – A tool like no other: This innovative “map” gives you the framework and structure to think strategically and plan effectively about issues your organization faces. It’s a perfect process for examining an issue from 360-degrees.

• Tools for enhancing your ability to engage, influence and be a more persuasive presenter when it comes to “selling” your ideas to management and others.

• “Invent-O-Matic” — An exciting and refreshing way to brainstorm ideas that involves the power of the group.

• A new way to think about how to lead through listening, rather than by telling, that will help you lead from any position.

• A powerful technique for dealing with resistance and conflict to the ideas and plans you offer.

• Greater focus, confidence, and authenticity in what you do and how you do it.

• Greater balance in your life through optional early morning yoga sessions.

• Walking the labyrinth – Waycross, our retreat center, has two labyrinths and Dialogue Indiana hosts Luanne Holladay and Barbara Coffman will give us an orientation to experiencing this ancient and meditative process.